Secretary's Honors Program

The Secretary’s Honors Program (SHP) is a highly competitive, premier program for exceptional entry-level professionals looking for a career at DHS. Qualified candidates apply for a limited number of slots and are selected based on their academic performance, experience and other criteria. Those selected for the program will be offered a variety of incentives and enhanced career opportunities including Department rotations, mentorships, focused on-the-job training and inclusion in various professional development programs.

Individuals who possess graduate or undergraduate degrees may apply for the following fellowships within the Secretary's Honors Program:

Information Technology Fellows – A one-year program designed for graduate-level recent graduates with computer science-related academic backgrounds and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the operation and management of information technology.

Emerging Leaders in Cybersecurity Fellowship (Master’s) and Cyber Honors (Bachelors) Programs – These two-year programs are designed for recent graduates in computer science, computer or network engineering, or other information assurance/security/technology fields of study. The programs include cross-Component rotational assignments within various DHS Components with a mission in cybersecurity. These assignments provide program participants with experiential learning opportunities in the identification and analysis of malicious code, forensic analysis, and intrusion detection and prevention in a fast-paced, growing environment.

Honors Attorneys– A two-year program designed for highly qualified third-year law students, fourth-year students graduating from four-year programs, combination programs or LL.M. programs immediately after law school, and those applying from judicial clerkships immediately after law school. Candidates will have the opportunity to work at multiple legal offices within the Office of the General Counsel.

Policy Fellows – A one-year program for recent graduates with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree. Candidates will provide direct assistance to top policymakers throughout DHS and will work side-by-side with experts in policy-focused areas and offices.

Management Fellows – A one-year program for recent graduates with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, organizational development or human resources.

Emergency Management Fellows – A one-year program for recent graduates with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree. Candidates will have an academic background that prepares graduates with strategic organizational management processes used to protect critical assets from hazards, man-made and natural disasters and facilitate recovery operations.

SHP Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative

The Secretary’s Honors Program Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative is for current college students pursuing a program of study in a cybersecurity-related field. Selected students learn about the DHS cybersecurity mission, complete hands-on cybersecurity work, and build technical experience in key areas such as digital forensics, network diagnostics, and incident response. Additionally, students participate in mentoring and professional development activities with DHS managers and senior leaders from across components. DHS expects to place more than 75 student volunteers at more than 50 DHS offices in 2015.

Applications for the 2015 Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative are currently being accepted. Please visit the job opportunity announcement on USAJOBS for more information about the application and selection process.